Fantasia Barrino returned to American idol stage and delivered powerful and inspiring words to the season 22 finalists on the 20th anniversary of her victory.
Barrino won the singing competition in season 3 and earned a Grammy, a star on Broadway and was recognized for her work which earned her Golden Globe and BAFTA Award nominations.
“All I can say is I never gave up,” Barrino said when Ryan Seacrest asked him to reflect on his journey since winning. American idol. “Even when doors closed in my face, I knew God had something for me.”
Barrino then turned to the three finalists, Jack Blocker, Abi Carter and Will Moseley, to tell them: “Keep God first. God has given you a gift, and it’s up to you how far you go.
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“And I’ve been through a lot,” she added. “But here I am, better than ever. I have never changed for anyone. I still live in North Carolina, I’m a North Carolina girl, and I stay humble. And I know if it hadn’t been for this show… This show opened so many doors.
She continued, “I tell you and all of you who are watching, this show opens doors and we are grateful and grateful.”
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Seacrest pressed Barrino to spill the tea on new music, to which the star simply said, “It’s coming.” Barrino noted that one thing she loved American idol “Did this allow me to see that you can do any genre you want, so you don’t have to hold back.”
The singer and actress also mentioned going back to business school and starting her own production company, Rock Soul Productions.
